Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-04-22
old Mrs. COLE"
BY s. A. WEISS.

door, and shook hands with Miss
Naylor, who happened to be pass
ing, "you see, only went for a day
and might, so didn't think it worth
while to advertise it on the church
door! wanted to buy some dry
goods and kitchen things, and
they're cheaper in Barnville than
in a little place like this. And be-
sides, there's my niece, Maria, whom
/ hadn't seen since her last baby
was born, and she and the baby
both in poor health. So l thought
l might as we'll go up, and so kill
two birds with one stone"
o.be-sure! And how did you
find Maria and the baby 2 And how
are all the folks in Barnville|
"Well, l was glad to find them
two looking pretty smart and Spry ;
and as for the rest, I didn't hear OF
anybody beng sick or in trouble,
unless twas old Mrs. Cole.'
"Ahl SO old Mrs. Coles sick p
SAID Miss Naylor, with a look OF
aroused interest. "And what is 1t
ails her this timer
"why, nothing much, l reckon
l did hear Maria hOller to little
Betty Cole, and ask how her gran
ma was today; and she said bout
the same asyesterday. Maria asked
if the fever was gone down; but
lust then Jeems came in to dinner
so | didn't hear the rest, and forgot
TO ask Maria about Mrs. Cole"
"Well, we'll Pm sorry to hear
she's sick, poor soul! for she's a
good woman, and We can't easy af
ford to spare such. Bnt she's wei
on in years, and Pye been ruthel
expectin' to hear Of her being took
down, considerin' she's over sixty
But law me! l mustn't keep you
standin' here in the street, and you
lust come home. Good-by and de
pend upon me for comm round soor
to see what pretty things you've
brought
With this Miss NaylOr turned
away, and with her basket on heI
arm proceeded to the store for a
supply of groceries.
There she found Mrs. Brown, the
house-carpenter's wife, engaged IN
cheapening calico.
"You amt as smart as Miss Steb-
bins SAID Miss Naylor, as the two
critically examined the quality oil
the calico. "She's been up to Barn
VILE, and laid in a lot Of dry-goOds
and things, for the sake of saving
about twenty-five cents or so. Fol
my part, l go for encouraging home
trade
"Well, / don't know" Mrs. Brown
replied, doubtfully. "Seems to me
everybOdy's bound to look out fol
their own interest, and l confess
I'd be willing to go a little out o
the way to save twenty-five cents
But what did Sally Stebbins say
was The news in Barpvillep
"Nothing, except that old Miss
Coles down with fever. Miss Steb-
bins said she was no better when
she left. She's over sixty, and !
wouldn't be surprised to hear Of her
death any minute"
81 wonder if John Coles wife
knows of it! She ought to be told,
for her husbands mother was sec
end codsln to old Mrs. Cole, and
they've got the same family name
and always been friendly. If she
dies, they'll of course go to the fun
eral, as they did when the old man
died, tour years ago."
Then Miss NaylOr turned to the
groceries, and Mrs. Brown, having
concluded her bargain by persuad-
ing the merchant to take a basket
of dried apples IN part payment for
his goods, left the store and took
her way homeward, well pleased.
Meeting a neighbOr on the way,
the two stopped to exchange greet
ings and inquire the news.
"That reminds me-" said Mrs
Brown, promptly. "pve jest this
minute , arted from Liza NaylOr
and she told me that she'd seer
Mrs. Stebbins, who's jest from Barn
Vile, and left old Mrs. Cole as low
as could be with fever. Liza sale
they were every minute expecting
her death, and she's no doubt gone
by this time, poor soul. She thinks
Jane Cole will 20 to the funeral, /
she knows of the old lady's death.
"Why, of course, they Ought t
send "A message and let 'em know,
replied Mrs. Miller. "They're thei
own kin, though not very nigh
and naturally they'd 60 to the fun
cral."
Mrs. Miller turned aside tw'
squares TO speak TO Fanny Bates
Mr.. John Coles wlfe's sister, Mis-
Bates was seated at her window
sewing, and Mrs. Miller called t
her:
"Say, Fanny, does your siste
Cole know that old Mrs. Cole 0
Barnville's dead ?"
"Dead? Good gracious! you don
say s0?" said Miss Bates, dropping
her work and leaning out of the win
dow. ado come in and tell"
"Well. | can't conveniently stOl
lest now, as it's time to be putting